Slothrust gives Nashville a night of good ‘ol rock-and-roll

As I’ve stated in previous articles, one of my favorite places in Nashville to catch shows these days is Jack White’s Blue Room. He seems to have a knack for finding the coolest and best up-and-coming bands to play his venue… This past week, I had the pleasure of seeing two kickass female-fronted bands in one night: The Velveteers and Slothrust.

When I stepped into the venue, people all around me were talking about how much they loved the bands and how excited they were for the show. I typically like to poll a few fans before shows, asking them who they are there to see and what they enjoy the most about the music. After I gathered my information, I grabbed a drink and headed to the front of the stage, ready to experience The Velveteers and Slothrust in all their glory.

My first thought while watching The Velveteers was how much swagger they had onstage.

Two drummers and a killer fuzz sound made the whole room feel like it was caught in a thunderstorm. The Velveteers is one of a few bands that can get a crowd moving right away. By that, I mean I am not sure many people knew who they were before the show started, but a few songs in and people were hooked. The audience behind me screamed after every song and the folks around me, who had never heard of the band, kept saying how impressed they were. I had heard a few Velveteers songs before; “A Million Knives to My Heart” is a breakup song that helped me get over someone a couple of months ago. They didn’t play it, but they rocked as hard as possible for the 30-to-45-minute set they were given. This band is absolutely amazing, so please check them out if you get the chance.

Slothrust closed out the night with a set that was just as gritty and unpredictable as I’d hoped. Lead singer Leah Wellbaum had cool, effortless confidence while her band locked into a heavy, groove-driven sound that filled the Blue Room wall to wall. It almost felt like they decorated the stage like a graveyard, with a few tombstones scattered around. 

Midway through the set, Wellbaum told the crowd she was about to play a song she hadn’t performed since she was a teenager. The room went quiet and then erupted, as it turned into one of the most memorable moments of the night. They even played “Pony” by Ginuwine, which was a ridiculously cool cover for them to perform. Moments like that one are why I keep coming back to this venue. Between The Velveteers’ raw energy and Slothrust’s ability to surprise a crowd, it was a perfect night of loud, honest rock-and-roll. If either band comes through your town, don’t miss them.

Photography by Derek Jones

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